There’s a lot going in outer space. As we Earthlings go about our days, up there magnetic fields are erupting, solar storms are flaring and giant rocks are whizzing around, leaving a path of debris behind them.
Sometimes, these solar events create magnificent spectacles that we can see with the naked eye. And if you look up to the sky tonight, you could see stunning streaks of light from the Taurids meteor shower.
This shower isn’t as active as others that appear during the year, so here’s how to maximise your chances of seeing it.
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What is the Taurids meteor shower?
The Taurids meteor shower is made up of debris of ice and dust left behind by Comet Encke, which burns up and creates bright streaks of light when they pass through the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The Taurids meteors aren’t particularly fast or frequest, but the shower is active in our skies for almost two months.
The comet stream of Encke is very spread out, meaning that Earth takes longer to pass through it. That also means that there are two seperate parts to the shower — the Southern Taurids and the Northern Taurids.
When will the meteor shower be visible in the UK?
You could spot a shooting star from the Southern Taurids any time from September 10 to November 20, or from the Northern Taurids between October 20 to December 10.
However, the best time to look out for them will be when they reach their maximum, aka peak, later this week.
When will the Taurids peak?
The Northern Taurids peak and will be most visible in the UK on November 11 and 12. The Southern Taurids already peaked back in mid-October.
How to watch
As with any night sky spectacle, the best way to see the shower is from somewhere with minimal light pollution, clear skies and an unobstructed horizon. There’s no need for any fancy equipment – if conditions are right, you should be able to see the meteors with the naked eye. Just be prepared to be patient.
According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the Taurids peak this year coincides when the moon is waxing gibbous (between a half and full moon), meaning that there will be some natural light pollution that will affect your ability to see fainter meteors.
When is the UK’s next meteor shower?
A few days after the Taurids, there will be a chance to see the faster Leonids shower. It peaks on November 18.